As I've learned to expect, a beautifully written and fun read. Connelly writes wonderfully believable stories with flawed but truly good heroes and heroines

A big thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin romance for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. How do you get over a trust issue? Abigail is the daughter of a competitor! Gabe is sure she was using their attraction to steal his secrets. Predictable but I am still fascinated. Fun quick read. 3.5 stars

I loved reading Gabe and Abby's story. Fun holiday read. Great romance. I look forward to reading more by this author.

This story is about betrayal, trust and forgiveness. And while in the most part I liked it, I also didn't love it because Hero was just too loathsome for me. Yes, I understood his beings of betrayal for what heroine did, but did he have to be such as ass for 90 +% of the story? How can I connect and believe in HEA if one of the characters is so loathsome?

All in all, it wasn't a bad read. In fact, it was rather sweet at the end. I just wish we had more "sweet" long before then so that I could believe they were meant to be.

OMG--this. Book! It's one heck of a trope-fest: virgin heroine, secret baby, marriage of convenience, and enemies-to-lovers, all in one Christmas-set story...

Gabe spent a good portion (okay, nearly all) of the book being a complete jerk. Yes, he had a reason for it at first, but with all the attempts that Abby had made to let him know about the consequences of their one night stand it felt like it wasn't all 100% justified. (Plus, he didn't believe her--At. All. Dude, checking to see if someone actually has a baby is super easy. You don't believe it's yours? Fine. Do a DNA test. Easy-peasy. Get over your butt-hurt self.) And then his jealousy of her friendship with the groundskeeper...? and his constant ignoring of her, except in the bedroom (of course)...? it made it really hard to like him for quite a bit of the book. If you looked up alpha-hole hero, I'm pretty sure you'd find his picture.

(Similarly, if you look up "plot moppet" I'm pretty sure you'd find a direct reference to their child, Raf. I don't think he was actually on the page for a full page's worth out of the 224 that encompass the entire book.)

Gabe eventually gets his head out of his butt—mostly--and we get to an HEA for everyone (finally…sort of. Though I still really think that Abby could so much do better) and you can almost forget what a complete and total jerk he was.

Almost.

Maybe Harlequin Presents just aren't for me?

Rating: 3 1/2 stars / C+

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Harlequin Presents fans are going to lap up Bound by Their Christmas Baby, an intensely emotional, highly dramatic and wholly mesmerizing contemporary romance from a fast rising star of the line: Clare Connelly.

Billionaire bachelor Gabe Arantini had learned from a very early age not to rely on anybody other than himself and not to trust anybody. Other than his good friend and business partner Nate, Gabe keeps his guard up at all times, his emotions firmly under lock and key and his heart barricaded behind an impenetrable wall of steel. Having grown up with nothing, Gabe had worked his fingers to the bone to become one of the richest men in the world and the owner of one of the most successful technology businesses in the universe. Good-looking, brooding and successful, Gabe could have had any woman he wanted, but despite having no qualms about indulging in no strings affairs, he had always made it perfectly clear that long-term relationships are strictly off the table for him – a resolve that had worked perfectly well until he had met Abigail Howard and fallen for her hook, line and sinker. Gabe thought that Abby reciprocated his feelings for her and that she could be the woman with whom he could spend the rest of his life with – until he had found out that Abby had had ulterior motives for seducing him and had betrayed him in the cruelest way possible. Gabe had vowed never to clap eyes on Abby ever again – but fate had other plans…

Gabe had been stunned when a year after he had thrown Abby out of his life, he had been having dinner at an exclusive restaurant in Manhattan and caught a glimpse of Abby. Only the woman standing in front of him was not the pretty society heiress with a wardrobe full of expensive designer clothes, but a kitchen hand eking out a living and earning minimum wage. Gabe had never forgotten or forgiven her vicious betrayal, but he couldn’t help but wonder what Abby was doing working in a kitchen for a pittance. However, it looks like the surprises are just going to keep on coming for Gabe for he discovers that Abby had been pregnant with his child when he had broken things off with her – and that he is now the father of a son!

Abby couldn’t believe her eyes when Gabe walked through the doors of the restaurant kitchen she had been working in. Abby had tried for a year to try and convince Gabe to see her so that she could tell him about baby Raf, but when he had refused to even give her five minutes of his time, she had vowed to bring up her son by herself and give him the best possible childhood. However, bringing up a child by herself in New York has been anything but easy and when Gabe saunters back in her life, demanding to see his son, Abby is delighted that her son will have his father back in his life, but shocked by the maelstrom of emotions which his return unleashes deep within her…

Gabe is not going to miss a single moment of his son’s life, so he whisks his new family to Italy and proposes a marriage of convenience for Raf’s sake. However, as old feelings resurface with a vengeance, Gabe and Abby soon realise that there is nothing convenient about their attraction for one another! Will it be second time lucky for Gabe and Abby? Or are there simply too many obstacles standing in their way?

Clare Connelly’s Bound By Their Christmas Baby sizzles and sparkles with red-hot sensuality, heart-wrenching pathos, emotionally compelling drama and powerful and uplifting romance. A poignant tale of second chances, healing from old wounds and finding the courage to fall in love again, Bound by Their Christmas Baby is an escapist and enjoyable romance with a deliciously brooding Italian hero readers will love and an intelligent, resourceful and resilient heroine they will cheer for.

A first-class contemporary tale I absolutely adored, Bound by Their Christmas Baby is a must-read for Harlequin Presents fans the world over!

3.5 Stars
Gabe was something else, I don't even know. It took time to get into this, very slow moving at first. The last half I read all in one day. I just had a hard time with Gabe, I did not like him at all. The author did very well making us dislike the hero. It takes good writing to dislike a character so strongly. When we finally got more back story it started to make sense.

I recommend giving it a try.

Abby and Gabe shared an incredible night of passion, one that was started by instant attraction and shattered by a betrayal by Abby. Gabe pushed Abby out of his life that night and ignored all her attempts to contact him. A year later Gabe unexpectedly sees Abby and all the lust, hate and anger erupts. He approaches her and ultimately costs her the job she had to get to try to survive. That night Gabe is shocked to find out he and Abby have a son, he takes control and makes Abby and their son move to Italy with him. Gabe is a jerk, he’s cruel and can’t get past the fact that Abby had betrayed him but he also hasn’t been able to move on from his deeply resented feelings of lust for her. Abby knows she did wrong, but she can’t get over her feelings for Gabe either, she is willing to put up with him for the sake of their son.

Gabe was totally justified in his feelings, he is a man with wounded pride and anger that someone he had instant attraction and feelings for was trying to sabotage his life. Underneath it all he is a man with a good heart, he instantly fell in love with Rafael and he can’t fight his feelings of possessiveness and growing love for Abby. When he tries to force Abby to marry him she bails when she realizes their incredible sex isn’t enough she wants love and he refuses to give it. Remember when I said Gabe was a jerk? Well this causes him to face his feelings and to grovel to win Abby back and I loved it!

I truly enjoyed Gabe and Abby’s story, so much so that I read it from cover to cover without putting it down. The setting of the story being in a small town in Italy at Christmas time made it magical!

The last time Gabe Arantini saw Abby Howard she was taking pics of the specs for his newest technology brainchild. This following the most memorable night he'd ever spent with a woman. When he threw her out, he never expected to see her again. Over the next year, she tries repeatedly to see him. He can't imagine what she wants, but her betrayal keeps his door locked to her.

Abby has a daily reminder of her night with Gabe - her son, Rafael. Working as kitchen help in an upscale restaurant, she's just managing to keep it together. Then Gabe sees her and gets her fired. She decides to confront her son's father, but doesn't expect him to demand marriage, and a move to Italy in the bargain.

Can Abby convince Gabe that she had a good reason for what she did? Can Gabe find a place in his heart, for not only his son, but also the woman he thinks betrayed him?

Clare Connelly brings a secret baby story, one I couldn't out down.

Bound by Their Christmas Baby by Clare Connelly is the story of Gabe and Abby.
Abby was sent by her father to get some information about Gabe but she ended up sleeping with him. When she was caught by Gabe getting that information he gets hostile and makes her leave. Abby didn't go forward with helping her father but he ends up kicking her out. When Abby tried to contact Gabe to let him know she is with child he doesn't take her call or allow her to get near him. Then later he spots her and goes to get her fired but she confronts him about the baby. Things move forward after that...although Gabe still has trust issues.
Enjoyed their story.

Gabe Arantini finishing up on a big business deal spots a familiar face in the kitchen of the restaurant. When he approaches he finds out it is Abby who he kicked out of his place after he caught her taking pictures of important documents. She tried to explain but trust and his business is non negotiable to Gabe. When he has her fired he finds out that she gave birth to his child. Knowing he must legitimize his child takes them back to Italy. Ms. Connelly always delivers an amazing story and even though at times you want to hit Gabe in the head you will love the story and the ending is worth the wait.

The story takes place during Christmas and although the Holiday is not on the forefront of the story, I think readers will be happy to read about it during this time of the year. The hero (Gabe) has big issues of trust and unfortunately the heroine (Abby) makes the terrible mistake to deceive him. This will drive a great deal of the plot. Gabe will push and pull trying to manipulate Abby using her guilty feelings and he is too judgmental and unforgiven to the point of bitterness. I love that Abby will come to her senses and starts to ask for what she wants. She falters a little, but she is a lot stronger than other Harlequin Presents’ heroines and I like that very much about her. There is an epilogue, which; many Harlequin readers will appreciate as not many books in this line have it. It is a nice read for the coming holidays; I really like it. I received a free copy via NetGalley.

This was a quick read, but I just didn't care for the storyline. Gabe is a real jerk who thinks he is right about everything, when he doesn't know the full story. Abby seemed very wishy-washy and never stood up for herself. If you want a quick read on a snowy or rainy day, this would fit the bill.

This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Bound by Their Christmas baby was not what I expected it to be, it took awhile for me to get into the storyline. Gabe was was a characters that I couldn't get "into" and even at the end didn't care for him. Abby wasn't as difficult to relate to, but she wasn't that character that you fall in love with, right away. In the end Gabe just turned out to be a misunderstood guy, okay but it was too late for me. The storyline was interesting, Characters were the problem for me.

I was provided ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

The familiar secret baby trope is not done many favors in Bound by Their Christmas Baby. Arrogant, angry misogynist Gabe is such an unappealing character the reader is left feeling conflicted, that perhaps heroine Abby and baby Raf would be better off on their own.

I think this might be the first Clare Connelly book I've ever read and I have to say I totally enjoyed her writing style. This story is about Gabe who's rich, handsome, sexy and totally cold and arrogant. He discovers that Abby who he hates has had his child, a baby boy named Raf. Yes we have read this scenerio before, lots of times. At least that's what I was thinking while reading it. But it's a great story, very emotional because both characters are such lonely people. They both have lost but found so much too, and the ending was perfect. I love happy endings and this one didn't disappoint. I recommend this book wholeheartedly and I'm giving it five stars.

The accidental pregnancy storyline had potential but the female character had no spark and the male was a nasty jerk for 90% of the book.

I didn't like this book nearly as much as I have enjoyed others by this author. Gabe was such a jerk and his eventual turnaround didn't make up for his behavior throughout the rest of the book. Abby was a little bit bland as a character too.

I enjoyed the storyline and characters. The hero took a little to warm up to but half way through the book he won me over. Liked the heroine, she was both strong, outspoken and sweet.

Abby was asked by her father to collect documents/information from Gabe Arantini. They met at a party, instant attraction and slept together (Abby new of him and kind of had an infatuation with him but that's not revealed till a little later in the book). Abby was then caught taking pictures of documents that had information on Gabes business. He felt betrayed and kicked her out, saying he never wanted to see her again. The one time he lets down is guard and this is what happens. Major trust issue with Gabe.

Abby becomes pregnant and tries to contact Gabe to let him know. He wants nothing to do with her (he didn't know she was pregnant and didn't give her a chance to explain). Abby never gave her Father the info he wanted and when he found out she was pregnant he threw her out of the house.

One year later. Gabe is at a company party and spies someone that looks like Abby. She works in the kitchen as help. Gabe storms the kitchen, knows the chef and has her fired. She lets him know she had a child, his child and everything changes for Gabe from that point on.

He takes Abby and the baby to his home, actually a castle, in Italy. And from this point on the layers of both their stories and character unfold. The two see different sides of each other, what shaped and molded them into the people they are as well as all the pain from past parental issues that's hindered them. Love how Gabe was a good Father and Abby a wonderful Mother. I appreciated Abby standing up to Gabe when he was a jerk. But what I appreciate most was the last third of the book and how Gabe redeems himself and the relationship. But the best part was the Epilogue, it was wonderful.

Good pacing, nice storyline and good to great character development.